Letter: Parenthood taxes not the answer to population problems

Sir: Professor Sir Roy Calne's grown-up children are not a drain on the British economy but in relation to the poor of the world they are consuming vastly more energy, goods and natural resources than will ever find their way to the Third World.

It is not enough to regard the world's poor as millions of surplus mouths to feed. These populations have had their land stolen by colonists, imperialists and multinationals; they have been systematically dispossessed and their traditional, sustainable livelihoods have been destroyed for the profit of us who are 'gainfully employed' in the northern hemisphere.

Sir Roy is right that science has a lot to answer for. It has been exploited not for the welfare of those in need but for the enrichment of people and nations on the make.

Yours truly,

GWEN MARSH

London, NW3